Flow metering device



Nov. 29, 1938. s, ADELsoN FLOW METERING DEVICE Filed Apri1 '25, 193s 2 Sheets-Sheet-l Nov. 29, 1938. s. 1 ADELSON FLOW METERING DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed April 23. 1936 ameZ A @deban WAY/nud *WW Patented Nov. 29, 1938 IVIETERING DEVICE Samuel L. Adelson, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Inlco luc., a corporation of DelawareA Application April 23,

12 Claims.

'I'he present invention relates-to apparatus by which some physical responsive effect is produced in accordance with an initiating physical change, and has particular reference to an improved device by which a counter is actuated, or an ln-4 dicator is positioned, or some other mechanism is operated in response to and in accordance with a fluid flow. The invention will be found to have particular utility in water supply systems in which a flow of water to be treated is supplied with an amount of chemical dependent upon the rate of flow, or the volume of the ow is measured or the rate of flow is indicated by a suitable meter device. p

A principal object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the type described which will be responsive to a primary physical change and will accurately produce some secondary 4operation in accordance with such physical change.

An additional object is the provision of an improved device for translating an initial physical change in one locality into a secondary physical change in another locality which may or may not be remote from the locality of the initial physical change.

A further object is to provide an initiating or actuating mechanism operated by a source of changeable physical energy and la responsive mechanism adapted to be operated in accordance with said initiating mechanism.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of the type described by which an eiect produced at a remote point isnot limited by the energy of the particular change occurring at a primary point.

A further object is-the provision of apparatus operable to measure a changing or changeable function such as a ow of liquid, to indicate or record such a function and to control at a remote point some physical action relative to said changing function.

These and other objects will be evident upon consideration of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and by 55 tion of the mechanism; and

reference to the accompanying drawings, in

1936, Serial N0. 75,966

Fig. 5 shows la further modification ofthe device of Fig. 1. v

For purpose of explanation and illustration, the invention is shown in the drawings as applicable to a liquid flow system which is susceptible 5 of change in rate of ow. In Fig. 1 a mercury `manometer indicated at I is provided with a chamber 2 of uniform cross-sectional area overv its working range and connected through line 3 with the upstream or high pressure section of a Venturi tube 4 or other diierential pressurecreating device of a fluid line 5.

Surrounding chamber 2 and concentric therewith is a second chamber 6 which is connected to the low pressure or down stream side of the differential pressure-creating device by means of pipe 1. The cross-sectional area of chamber 6 varies in accordance with the shape of the insert 8 which extends Aupwardly in the manometer from the walls of chamber 2. More particularly, the outer walls of the manometer are substantially cylindrical, while the hollow isert s becomes larger toward its top, whereby to form the chamber 6 Withvarying cross-sectional areas such that the distance of the mercury level in 25 the chamber 2 from a datum will be proportional to the first power of the rate of ow through the system with which the manometer is connected.

A oat 9 rides on the top of the mercury in chamber 2 and carries an upwardly extending rack bar I0, the upper end of the latter moving in a conventional guide. Rack I0 meshes with and actuates a gear Il attached to one end of the horizontal shaft I2. The opposite end of shaft I2 passes through a stuiling box I3 and 3f is connected on the outside of the manometer to an arm I4. The free end of arm I4 carries a contact pin I5.'

Manometers of this type are of particular utility where the flow to'be measured is under appreciable pressures. Under other conditions it will be understood that other or additional mechanism performing substantially the same function may be employed.

Adjacent the manometer is mounted a synchronous motor I6 having a shaft Il extending substantially parallel to shaft I2. On an intermediate part of shaft I1 and insulated therefrom is a collector ring I8 which is contacted by a brush I9. The outer end of shaft II carries an arm 20 .which is insulated therefrom. Arm' 2|! carries a pin 2| .on its free end and to this pin is mounted the rotatable contactor 22. Normally, contactor 22 isheld very lightly against a stop 23 on arm 20 by a spring 24. 55

a suitable distance ahead of contact pin 25, asv

will be described more particularly hereinafter. When a manometer of the ltype indicated is employed to indicate the rate of flow through line 5, the position of arm I4 is not at the theoretical zero position when there is no flow. On the contrary, its position will be spaced from the theoretical zero position a distance which will depend upon the, constants chosen in determining the shape of the outer chamber 6. The position actually-assumed by the arm I4 when there is no iiow through conduit 5 is termed the prac tical zero.

Where an integrator is used inl connection with the device it becomes necessary to prevent its functioning when or after this practical zero is reached by the contact I5, otherwise the counter will register at a rate corresponding to the angular-distance between the theoretical and practical zeros, even thoughthere is no flow through the uid conduit. To prevent such errors in integration of flow, there is provided a contactor 21 which is pivoted about pin 28 and held against stop 29 by spring 30. When arm I4 is in the position it assumes at no flow conditions, contact I5 touches contact 21. The shaft I1 and hence contactor 22 move continuously in the direction shown by arrow A, and in each revolution contactor 22 contacts pins 25 and I5 and 26 successively.

The mechanism described may be classed as the initiating or actuating part of my improved apparatus, and is combined with responsive mechanism which may be remotely located therefrom.

The responsive mechanism includes 'a synchronous motor 3| of the same speed as motor I6. Motor 3| has a shaft 32 provided With a spaced bearing support 33 and a beveled gear 34 rigidly'mounted on itsrend, the shaft being rotated as indicated by the arrow C.

An additional synchronous motor 35 of the.

same speed as motors |6 and 3| is positioned with its shaft 36 in line with shaft 32. Beveled gear 31 mounted on the end of shaft 36 is rotated in an opposite direction from' gear 34, as indicated by arrow D.

Gears 34 and 31 mesh and form a differential mechanism with idler gear 38, the latter rotating about shaft 39. Shaft 39 has an extension arm 40 constituting a pointer which registers with a suitably calibrated dial 4| for indicating rates of flow. In the differential, if 'gears 34 and 31 rotate at the same speed for the same length of time, idler gear 38, shaft 39, and pointer 40 will have no angular movement. Rotation of the gears at a dierent speed or for a different length of time will cause a corresponding angular movement of gear 38, shaft 39 and pointer 40 about the axis of shafts 32 and 36.

Shaft 32 also carries a sprocket 42 which drives A a counter 43 by means of chain 44 and sprocket Gear 46 mounted on shaft 32 meshes with a gear 41- of equal diameter, the latter gear being mounted on lshaft 48. The shaft 48 extends through bearing 49 and carries a gear 50 on its opposite end;

A sleeve 5| rotatably mounted on shaft 32 is provided with collector rings 52 and 53. These of line I|8 to contactl 26.

weight 58 suspended from the lower end thereof. i

The upper end of the armature carries a U- shaped electrical c onductor 59 insulated-from tne 'armature by a non-conducting holder 60.

'Ihe counterweight on the armature causes it to assume a vertical'position wherein the conductor 59 is held in a position which corresponds to the theoretical zero position of contact I5.

Since gears 46 and 41 are of the same dameter and gears 50 and 55 are of a one--to-twoF ratio, the electromagnet 54 will rotate at onehalf the Speed of shaft 32.

Shaft 39 also carries an arm 6| which supports a bracket 62 and an insulating block 63, the latter carrying spaced contacts 64 and 65 which are adapted to be contacted by the arms of the U- shaped conductor 59.

The apparatus described is energizedby suitable electrical circuits. Relay |03 is provided with a holding coil |04 and a resistor 05. In addition to relay |03 the electrical system includes a two-pole relay |06 having a holding coil |01 and a resistor |08, and a similar relay |09 provided with a holding coil ||0 and a resistor III.

Lines II2 and I|3 connect motor I6 with terminals a: and y, respectively, of transformer |02. A branch line ||4 leads from line I I2 to the left make and break contact of a double switch II5. Line ||6 connects line I4 to the right make and break contact of the switch. Line ||1 connects the brush I9 with the left pole of switch II5, this pole also being in connection with one terminal of the holding coil |04 of relay |03. The other terminal of coil |04 is connected by means Line ||8 also is connected to one terminal of resistor coil |05 of relay |03, and the other terminal of coil |05 connects with line |I3. Contact 25 is connected to line |I4 by line ||9. Arm 20 is in electrical contact .with collector ring I8 by means of line |20.

The right pole of switch ||5 is connected to the left contacts of switches I2| and |22 by means of line |23. c Contact 21 is connected to line |23 by line |24. Line I23'also is connected to motor 35 by line |25. Line |25 is connected with motor 3| by line |26. A branch line |21 from line |26 leads to the contact 64. The other terminal of motor 3| is connected to the right contact of switch |2| by line |28. Likewise, the other ter.

minal of motor 35 is connected with the right contact of switch |22 by line |29.

Line |25 has a branch line |30 leading to a brush |3| which contacts the collector ring 53, the latter being connected to electromagnet 54 by line |32. Collector ring 52 has a brush |34 which is connected to line |29 by line |35 and is connected to the electromagnet 54 by line |33.

' The left contact of switch |22 connects with the holding coil ||0 of relay |09 and with line |36 leading to Contact 65. The terminals of resistor ||I form a connection between coil |I0 and line II3. The right pole of switch |22 is connected with line ||3 by line |31.

The left pole of switch |2| is 'connected to line I|3 by coil |01 and resistor |08. Also, this'pole is connected to the outside wall of manometer I by means of line |38. The right pole of switch |2I is connected to line I I3 by line |39.

When the switch is open, no current is received-by the system and no power is applied to any of the elements thereof which are actuated electrically.' Also, the relativepositions of contact 22, contact I5, U-shaped conductor 59, contacts 64 and 65, and pointer 40 may be as shown in Fig. 1. e

If switch IIlI is closed, the circuit from terminal :1: of transformer |02, line |I2, motor I6, and line I I3 to terminal y of the transformer will be energized, thereby starting motor I6. Contactor 22 starts rotation with motor I6 and in a short time will form a connection with contact I5, but without then changing any condition existing just prior to their contact. When contact 22 touches pin 25 a, circuit is established from terminal :c of the transformer through line II2, line II4, line |I9, contact pin 25, contact 22, line |20, ring I8, brush I9, line II1, relay coil |04, resistor |05, and line II3 to terminal y of the transformer. This causes switch II to close and at the same time establishes a holding circuit for coil |04 which remains energized and holds the switch I I5 closed even though the connection between contact 22 and pin 25 is broken. Closing of switch |I5 completes the circuit from terminal :c through line II2, line II4, line II6, the right hand pole of switch II5. line |23, line |25, line |26, motor 3|, line |28, the right hand pole of switch I2I, line |39, and line |I3 back to terminal y of the transformer, thereby starting motor 3|. Motor 35 is started at the same time by the circuit through line |25, motor 35, line |29, the right hanf' pole of relay switch |22, line |31, and line I|3 back to the transformer.' From this it will be seen that motors 3| and 35 will start simultaneously the `instant contact 22 touches contact 25, the latter being located at the theoretical zero.

Electro-magnet 54 also will be energized while motor 35 is rotating, since it is connected in parallel with motor 35 by line |30, brush I3 I, 'collector ring 53, line |33, line |32, ring 52, brush |34, line |35, and line |29.

As the motors 34 and 35 rotate atthe same speed and in opposite directions there will be no movement of shaft 39 about the shaft 32, and the pointer 40 will not move. Also, since electromagnet 54 now is energized it will attract its armature 51, rotate the latter about shaft 32 at one-half the speed of shaft 32, and the U-shaped conductor 59 will approach the contacts 6 and 65.

When contactor 22 reaches and touches contact I5, the coil |01 of relay |06 will be energized, breaking the circuit at the right hand pole of switch 2| and causing motor 3| to stop. The left hand pole of switch |2I will now form a bypass around contactor 22 and contact I5, so that even if the circuit between 22 and I5 is broken the coil |01 will remain energized, holding open the circuit of motor 3| and holding closed the circuit of coil |01. vThe closed electrical circuit established to energize coil |01 and hence stop motor 3| when contactor 22 and contact I5 meet is from terminal a. of transformer |02 through line II2, lineIIlI, the left pole of switch |I5 (now closed), line II1, brush I9, conductor |20, contactor 22, contact I5, the casing of manometer I (to which contactor I5 is grounded), conductor |38, coil |01, resistor |08 voretical and conductor ||3 to terminal y of transformer If the angular position of contact I5 `from the theoretical zero position'is just twice the angular position of pointer 40 from. its theoretical zero position, then U-shaped conductor 59 will touch contacts 64 and 65 at the same instant that contactor 22 touches contact I5. In that event motor 35 will stop simultaneously with motor 3|, the pointer 40 will remain in its position, electromagnet 54 will be de-energized, and member 51 carrying the U-shaped conductor 59 will swing back to its normal vertical position. The circuit established to accomplish this is from terminal :c of transformer |02 through line |I2, line II4, line II6, the right hand pole of switch II5 (which is still closed), line |23, line |25, line |26, line |21, contact 64, U-shaped conductor 59, contact 65, line |36, coil IIO of relay |09, resistor I I I, and line I I3 to terminal y of transformer |02. This will energize coil |I0 and open the circuit of motor 35. At the same time a by-paes will be formed by the closed left hand pole of switch |22 around contacts 64 and 65 to keep coil |-I0 energized even though the circuit is broken between contacts 64 and 65 when the member 51 returns to its vertical position.

While motor 3| is rotating it causes the integrator 43 to function, and as the time interval during which motor 3| rotates is proportional to the angular position of the contactor I5 from its theoretical zero position and hence in proportion to the rate of ow, the increase in the reading of the integrator 43 will be proportional to the volume of uid passed through the system during the cycle.

When the contactor 22 next touches contact pin 26, the switch I I5 of relay |03 will open, and,

as coil |01 of relay |06 and coil ||0 of relay |09 have been contacted to the sourceI of current through the right hand pole of switch II5, the coils |01 and IIO will be de-energized, thereby returning switches |2I and |22 to the position shown in Fig. l. This condition' represents the end of a cycle. The period of rotation of contactor 22 is elective and is Adetermined with reference to the probable frequency of changes of ow and their amount. Ordinarily it does not exceed one minute.

The circuit established to bring about this condition when contactor 22 touches contact 2G short circuits coil |04 of relay |03, whereby coil |04 becomes de-energized and opens switch II5. This circuit is from the upper terminal of coil |04, line II1, brush I9, ring I8, conductor |20, contactor 22, contact 26, line |I8 to the lower terminal of coil |04. When the switch |I5 opens, coil |04 remains de-energized, even though contactor 22 ar'i contact 26 were to continue touching, since the upper .terminal of coil |04 is disconnected from the source of current;

When contactor 22 again touches pin 25 a new cycle begins, and subsequent events will be as described above, provided no change occurs in the positionof contact pin I5,'i. e., inthe rate of flow, before contactor 22 reaches it.

Where there has been' a decrease in the rate of uid ow prior to the beginning of a new cycle, the contactor I5 will be closer to its thezero position. When contactor 22 touches contact 25, motors 3| and 35 will start as before, counter 43 will begin integrating, electromagnet 54 will be energized and U-shaped conductor 59 will approach contacts 64 and 65,

tegrator 43.

but there will as yet be no movement of pointer 40.

When contactor 22 touches contact I5, motor 3| will stop, as will integrator 43 and the movement of U-shaped conductor 59 toward contacts 64 and 65. The conductor 59 will remain in its then position since electromagnet 54 although not being rotated is still energized, it being remembered that electromagnet 54 is in parallel with motor 35. and motor 35 continues to rotate there will be a movement of the pointer 40 toward its rero position. This movement will move contacts 64 and 65 toward U-shaped conductor 59 and when contact is made motor 35 will stop, as will movement of pointer 40. Electromagnet 54 will be de-energized and conductor 59 will Vreturn to its original position with the return of the member 51. The new position of pointer 40 will now corlespond to the new position of Contact I5. This is evident when it is considered that U- shaped conductor 59 stopped in a position corresponding to the new position of contact I5 while contacts 64 and 65, and with them pointer 40, moved back to the position of 59, whereupon motor 35 stopped.

Should there have been an increase in the iiow rate prior to the beginning of a new cycle, the contactor I5 will have moved further away from the theoretical zero position. When contactor 22 touches contact 25, motors 3| and 35 will start, counter 43 will begin integrating, electromagnet 54 will become energized and conductor 59 will approach contacts 64 and 65. Pointer 40, however, will remain stationary. Since the contact I5 is now further from its zero position than the corresponding distance of contacts 64 and 65 and pointer 40 from their zero positions, the U-shaped conductor 59 will reach contacts 64 and 65 before contactor 22 will reach contact I5. When conductor 59 touches contacts64 and 65 motor 35 will stop, electromagnet 54 will be de-energized and conductor 59 will move back to its zero position. Motor 3|, however, is still rotating and will move pointer 40 away from' its zero position until contactor 22 touches lcontact I5, whereupon motor 3| will stop, as will the in- Pointer 40 will now be in a new position corresponding to the new position of contact I5. The angle moved throughby pointer 40 will correspond to the angle between the previous and new position of contact I5, because motor 35 stopped when conductor 59 had traveled through an angle corresponding to the previous position of I5 while from then on motor 3| alone operated, carrying pointer 40 forward through the angle between the previous and the new positions of I5,

.The apparatus as shown constitutes a selfcompensating device to correct for any slight lack of synchronism -Which may exist among motors I6, 3| and 35 and which otherwise would result in a progressive movement'of pointer 40 or other error. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, let

ti=time elapsed between contact of Y 22 with 25 and 59 with 63 and 64 In Fig. 3 contact I5 is shown displaced qa from the practical zero and in Fig. 4 ann 40 dis- Because motor.3| has stopped placed 0" from its practical zero position, this position being indicated by Pol.

In a time ti, arm 40 will move from Po to Pi or which is independent of the speed of motors I6 and 35 and the time ti. It is understood that the positioning of arm 40 must be accomplished before contactor 22 has completed its cycle. That is, a rotation of contact 22 takes longer than the time of energization of motor 3| and 35 and longer than the time lfor the maximum movement of arm 40.

When there is no flow through the fluid conducting system, the contactor I5 will be at the practical zero,'this position being somewhat displacedfrom the theoretical zero position. Therefore, means must be provided whereby the motor 3| will not start when contactor 22 touches contact I5 while the latter is at the practical zero, in order to prevent functioning of the integrator. Ascontact I5 reachesv the practical zero position it touches contactor 21 and remains in contact so long as contact I5 is at this position. When contactor V'22 now touches contact 25 it closes switch |I5 as previously described. With contact I5 touching contact 2'I this now establishes a closed circuit to prevent motor 3| from starting. The circuitis from terminal of transformer |02 through line ||2, line ||4, line 6, the right hand pole of switch ||5, line |23, line |24, contactor 21, contact |5casing I, line |38, coil |01, resistor |08, and line |I3 back to terminal y of transformer I02. Current passing through this circuit energizes coil |01, breaking the circuit of motor 3| and preventing it from starting. Motor 35 will not start since U-shaped conductor 59 touches contacts 64 and 65, which opens the circuit of motor 35 as described heretofore. When contactor 22 now touches contact pin 26, the coils |04, |01 and ||0 of i flays |03, |06, and |09, respectively. will be de-energized as previously described. The apparatus therefore will be set for a new cycle.

In Fig. 2 a wiring diagram is shown whereby a plurality of responsive members may be made to assume positions corresponding to that assumed by the contact I5. As this figure is essentially a diagram, the disclosure is limited to the elements necessary to aproper understanding of the device. In actual practice, the wiring may be. simplified somewhat. For example, line |26 may be dispensed with and all connections shown made to this line may be connected directly with line |23. Fig. 2 shows three different responsive mechanisms actuated by one initiating mechanism, each of the responsive mechanisms being provided with motors 3| and 35 and being substantial duplicates of the responsive mechanism shown in Fig. 1. These responsive lmechanisms may bemade to perform different functions.l For example, one of the stations may be employed as a permanent recording station, another may be used to indicate changes in flow,

and another may be employed to actuate a chemical feeding device.

' The wiring diagram for the rst responsive f for these units corresponds with the diagram for the rst unit. That is, line |26 leads to the motors 3| and 35 of the secondv and third units and to the con/tacts 64 for these units. v

Motor 3| for. the second unit is connected by a line |28 to one terminal of the switch 22| of relay 206. Coil 201 of relay 206 has one end connected to line |38 and the other end to resistance coil 208, the latter being connected to line H3. Switch r22| is connected to line ||3 by line 239. Contact 65 of the second responsive unit is connected by a line |36 to one pole of the switch 222 of relay 209. Holding coil 2|0 of relay 209 extends between the contact which line |36 makes with switch 222 and resistance coil 2| the latter being connected to line H3. The other permanent contact of double switch 222 is joined to line ||3 by line 231. The make and break contacts of double switch 222 are positioned to alternately contact an extension of line |23 and line |29 leading to motor 35 oi the second responsive mechanism unit.

Similarly, the motors 3| and 35 and contact 64 of the third responsive mechanism unit each have one connection leading to line |26. 'Ihe Aother connection to motor 3| of the third unit leads through line |28 to the make and break contact of switch 32| of relay 306. The permanent contact of switch 32| is connected to line H3 by line 339. Coil 301 is connected to line |33 and to resistance coil 308 which joins line H3. Contact 65 of the third responsive unit is connected to one-permanent contact of double` switch 322 of relay-309 by a line |36. Holding` As described with respect to Fig. 1, when con-u tactor 22 of the initiating device touches contact 25, the switch ||5 closes. In Fig. 2, this places lines 23, |25 and |26 in circuit with terminal X of transformer |02; and completes the circuits through the motors 3| and 35 of the rst, second and third responsive units.

When contactor 22 touches contact |5, coil |01 of relay |06 is energized, thereby opening the circuit through motor 3| of the first unit, as previously described. Since the upper terminals-of coils 201 and 301 likewise are connected to line |38, these coils likewise are energized and switches 22| and 32| are opened in the same mannen/as described in connection with switch |2I. Therefore, the motors 3| of the three responsive unitsy start and stop simultaneously. y

The stopping of the motors 35 of the three responsive units are governed individually. More particularly, when the U-shaped contactors 59 of each of the responsive units connect with their respective contacts 64 and 65, the corresponding motors 35 will be stopped in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1. 'Ihis action is desirable in order to prevent progressive movement of the members 40 of the units in the event any of the motors are not in proper synchronism.

In this manner the .operation of the three responsive units is controlled by Ithe single initiating device.

The invention has been described with reference to a". manometer of the; type in which` the mercury level upon which thefloat rides varies in its position fromthe theoretical zero level in accordance with the rst power of the flow rate. Manometers of the type in which each` leg is of uniform cross-section also may be employed. In the latter case, the mvement of the mercury level upon which the oat rides will vary from its zero position in accordance with the second power of the ow, and the position of contact l5 with the same power.

Other variables may be employed to position' contact I5. For instance, the positioning may be effected by the variation in the level of a liquid passing over a weir. Motivation of the initiating device is not restricted ,tothe ow of a fluid. Changes in temperature, pressure or liquid level `may be relied on to operate the initiating device,

or, this mechanism may be set by hand.

'Ihe movement of the scanning member need not be rotational, and the positioning of the member 40 may be other than in direct proportion to that of arm I4'. An example of a modication of this kind may be seen in Fig. 5 in which the member 40 is positioned in accordance with the iirst power of the flow and the movement of contact l5 is governed-by a different principle.

- In this embodiment of the invention, a synchronous motor 3I6 is provided with a shaft 311 on which is mounted a crank 3|8. A link 3|9 connects this crank to a second crank 320 iixed to the shaft of a cam member 322. As shaft 3|1 continuously rotates, an oscillatory motion is imparted to link 319, crank 320 and cam 822. A rack stem 323 has a cam roller 324 on its lower end which rides on cam 322, thereby alternately varying and lowering the rack bar through its guide bearings 325. The rack bar meshes with and rotates a gear 326, the latter being iixed to a shaft 321. Shaft 321 carries the arm 20 having on its end the contacter 22 pivoted about pin 2|. As in Fig. 1, contactar 22 normally is held against stop 23 by spring 24. The contact pin |5 shown in Fig. 5 is carried on arm I4 which is fixed to the spindle of a manometer or other flow actuated device such as shown in Fig. 1.

,f The contour of member 322 is so formed that l -with respect to contact 25 will vary in accordance flow rate. It is evident then that the time which elapses between the touching of contactar 22 with contact 25 and with contact |5 will vary as the first power of the flow rate and that the members or member 40 be positioned accordingly. The electrical circuits are the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 except that elements 26 to 30 inclusive and line |24 of Fig. l are omitted, since with the means shown in Fig. 5 it is assumed that the practical and theoretical zeros coincide, as may be the case. At the beginning of a cycle. 22 contacts 25, thereby starting motors 3| and 35. When contact 22 touches contact l5, motor 3| stops. On the return movement ofcontactor 22 the latter again touches contacts |5 and 25 but does not effect any change, due to previous breaking of the circuits by the previous contact of contactor 22 with contacts 25 and l5. However, when contactor 22 touches contact 26 it opens switch H5, resetting all relays for the beginning of a new cycle, all as previously described in4 connection with Figs. 1 and 2. Immediately after contactor 22 touches contact; 26 the forward movement of arm 20 again takes place and a cycle starts u on the touching of contactor 22 with contact 2 The shape of cam 322 and 'consequently the relation between the positioning of contact l5 and the member 40 may be as desired.

The motor I6, which operates the scanning member, ordinarily will be of small size, say such as may be used in electric clocks, and when used in a meter as in the example illustrated, the motors 3l and 35 may well be of the same size. There is no reason, however, for any such limitation as to size of any of these motors and it may be sometimes desirable, particularly with respect to motors 3| and 35, to use motors of appreciable power so as to overcome very appreciable resistance and to position parts or operate valves 'or other apparatus requiring application of considerable power; Because of such considerations it will be apparent that my invention may have many applications besides those referred to herein. i

The various possible changes from the structure described herein for purposes of explanation which may be made without departing from the scope of the invention are intended to be included in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the type described, an indicating mechanism positionable in accordance with some physical condition, a responsive mechanism having a differential device and two continuously operating oppositely rotating driving ference in -time of motion of said driving means,

and means for prolonging the time of motion of one of said driving means with respect to the other of said driving means in accordance with the position of said initiating mechanism.

3. In a, device of the type described, an initiating mechanism operable in accordance with some physical condition, a responsive mechanism including a differential device having separate driving means for the two sides thereof and a member moved in accordance with a difference in operation of said driving means, means cooperating with said initiating mechanism for periodically starting said driving means simultaneously and means effective within said period for stoppingsaid driving means simultaneously when there has been no change in said physical condition.

4. In a device of the type described, an initiating mechanism responsive to a physical change and having a movable contact positioned in accordance with said change, a constant speed motor having a scanning contact mounted to its shaft and adapted to periodically establish an electric circuit upon contact with said movable contact, complementary motors energized upon completion of said circuit, a member operated by each motor, means operated by the differential action ofA said members, and means including said operated means for causing operation of one ofl said motors for a longer time than the other depending upon change of position of said movable contact.

5. In a device of the type described, an initiating mechanism responsive to a physical change, responsive mechanism including two complementary synchronous motors and a differential device driven thereby, means operated by said differential device, and means cooperating with said initiating mechanism for controlling operation of said complementary synchronous motors for unequal periods of time dependent upon said physical change.

6. In a device of the type described, comprising an initiating mechanism responsive to a physical change and having a movable contact positioned in accordance with the magnitude of such change; a responsive mechanism including opposed synchronous motors, a differential driven thereby and means operated by said differential; a constant speed motor having a scanning contact periodically touching said movable contact to establish a circuit including said synchronous motors, and means for breaking the circuit to one or the other of said synchronous motors in accordance with the degree of increase or decrease represented by said physical change.

'7. In a device of the type described, comprising an initiating mechanism responsive to ya physical change and having a movable contact positioned in accordance with such change and a second contact associated with said movable contact; a responsive mechanism including means connected to two motors and operable only when one of said motors is rotating at a speed in excess of the other; electric circuits connected to said motors; circuits including a starting contact for said motors and a stopping contact for one of said motors, said starting and stopping contacts being each one of the aforesaid contacts; and a' scanning mechanism for consecutively touching said contacts to control the relative rotation of said motors in accordance with the position of said movable contact.

8. In a device of the type described, comprising an initiating mechanism responsive to a physical change and having a movable contact positioned in accordance with such change; a responsive mechanism including a differential device having 'driving gears, an idler, means operated by said idler and complementary motors for driving said gears in such a manner that said idler is moved in accordance with the diierence in rotation of said motors; a second contact associated with said movable contact; athird contact carried by said idler; a scanning member movable in cycles through a path to touch said first and second contacts in each cycle; and circuit means joining said contacts, motors, scanning member and a source of power adapted and arranged in each cycle to start both motors upon contact of said scanning member with either of `said movable or said second contacts, to stop the rotation of one of said motors upon contact of said member with the other of said contacts, and to stop the rotation of the other motor upon completion of a circuit through said third contact.

9. In a device of the type described comprising an initiating member having a movable member positionable according to a physical condition and, a differential mechanism having complementary driving gears and an idler therebetween moved in accordance with the difference in rotation of said gears, complementary motors for driving said gears, means for starting said motors simultaneously, and means for stopping either of said motors independently of the other, said initiating member and said stopping means including electric circuits that are opened and closed in accordance with the positions of said movable member and said idler.

10. In a device of the type described, a differential mechanism including complementary driving gears and an idler moved in accordance with the difference in rotation of said gears, means operated by said idler, complementary synchronous motors for driving said gears, periodically operating means for starting said motors simultaneously, means for stopping one of said motors upon predetermined motion of said idler, and means for stopping the other of said motors in accordance with some physical change and prior to the next operation of said periodic starting means.

l1. In a device of the type described, an initiating mechanismhaving a rst contact and a second movable contact which is positioned in accordance with some physical change, a scanning mechanism operable to cyclically move a third contact across said first and second contacts, a diierential device having complementary driving gears and an idler, contact means operated by said idler, complementary motors for driving said gears, and circuits joining said contacts, motors and a source of power in such a manner that both motors willl be energized simultaneously when said scanning contact touches said rst contact, that one motor will be de-energized when said scanning contact touches said movable contact, and that the other motor will be fle-energized through the contact means operated by said idler.

12. In a device of the type described comprising an indicating device having a member positionable according to a physical condition, a differential mechanism including complementary driving gears and an idler moved in accordance with the difference in motion of said gears, means operated by said idler, complementary motors for driving said gears, means for periodically starting said motors simultaneously, means for stopping said motors simultaneously when there has been n o change in the position of said indicating member, selective means for stopping rst one and then the other of said motors when there has been a change in position of said indicating member, and means for governing the interval beween the stoppage of said motors in accordance with the change in position of said indicating member.

SAMUEL L. ADELSON. 

